Aussie FIFO hoops target glory from Adelaide to Hong Kong

The racing world has gotten smaller in the past couple of years for the best jockeys, who fly in and out for the biggest meetings of the year.

James McDonald, Damian Lane and Blake Shinn are in demand as much as good horses for their ability to make the difference in the saddle. It’s why they will make the trip from Adelaide to Hong Kong on Saturday night.

The trio will chase group 1 victory in the Robert Sangster Classic and Australasian Oaks at Morphettville on Saturday before heading to Hong Kong for Champions Day, which will be the focus of the world racing on Sunday.

The overnight flight is part of the job and plays a key role in their preparation for Sha Tin.

“We all get on, but there is no talking on the plane – it’s time to sleep,” McDonald said. “It’s the most important part of the trip. You are tired after the races, so you just put your head down and sleep. You need to get that part of the trip to be at your best.

“It’s a long weekend but I have good group 1 rides in Roots and Concello [in the Sangster and the Oaks].

“I’m really looking forward to getting back on Romantic Warrior in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup on Sunday. He is a horse right up with Anamoe with what he has done winning the Cox Plate and Hong Kong International Cup, and every time you get on him it’s exciting.”

There will be a great collection of Australian jockeys on Champions Day. Zac Purton, Hugh Bowman and Brenton Avdulla all call Hong Kong home, and they are often coming in the opposite direction during our carnivals.

Romantic Warrior holds the title of Hong Kong’s best, but Purton is hoping Hong Kong Derby winner Massive Sovereign can make it three from three in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup.

Hong Kong’s premier jockey Zac Purton.

“It’s hard to do what he did in the Derby, but he’s against his own age there and now he has to go and do it against the older horses. It’s another big step for him. I’m hopeful that he’s able to do it,” Purton said. “It’s a big day here and plenty of horses and riders are coming for it.”

Lane has a Japanese connection and will link with Golden Eagle winner Obamburumai in the Champions Mile and Hishi Iguazu in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup after riding Queen Of Dragons and Stretan Angel in the Oaks and the Sangster.

“I think Queen Of Dragons’ fourth in the Vinery Stud Stakes is some of the best form going into the Oaks and they have targeted this race, which was a good move,” Lane said. “She is a great ride and I’m looking forward to Hong Kong, although the weather over there hasn’t been good, which is unfortunate for my rides.

“Getting in the room with jockeys from around the world is certainly a great experience, but you are there to do a job and win.

“Once you have done it a couple of times there’s a rhythm to travelling; you get there for good rides. Obamburumai and Hishi Iguazu are proven travellers, but we would prefer a dry track.”

Avdulla only took up a Hong Kong contract last year but has made a name for himself on California Spangle. He is the Chairman’s Sprint Prize favourite after Avdulla steered him to victory in Dubai on World Cup night.

“It’s worked out really well. This time last year I was still based in Sydney and you’re watching horses like [Champions Mile favourite] Golden Sixty and California Spangle from afar, but to be here twelve months later riding one of them, it’s a big thrill,” Avdulla said.

“I’ll ride [California Spangle] to his strength, which is to sustain a gallop. I think if he holds his form he’s the one to beat.”

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